Joseph M. Carvalho, 83, WW II Veteran, former POW, and an accomplished golfer
Joseph M. Carvalho, age 83, of Lorain, died Saturday, June 14, 2003 at Community Health Partners Hospital and Surgical Center following an extended illness. He was born in Fieas da Telha, Portugal on January 20, 1920 and came to the United States in 1931 settling in Lexington, Massachusetts. He had been a Lorain resident since 1981.Mr. Carvalho attended Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts for two years where he studied a curriculum in aeronautical engineering. He was also a member of the track team there where he participated in sprint events.
He was a World War II US Army Air Corps veteran where he was a member of the 8th Air Force. He served as 2nd Lieutenant attached to the 423rd Bombardment Squadron with the 306th Bomb Group in Europe. He was assigned as a navigator aboard B-17 Flying Fortresses. On June 13, 1943 his plane was shot down behind enemy line by hostile artillery, for the next two years he was a prisoner of war in Stalog #3. Upon his release from confinement, he was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries he sustained in combat, as well as the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with eight Bronze Stars, and the United States Air Medal.
A parishioner of the Catholic Church of St. Peter in Lorain, he was employed as an operations manager for American Airlines. His career with the airline spanned a total of 38 years and saw him fulfilling duty assignments in Dayton, Akron-Canton, Cleveland, and Boston.
He was an accomplished golfer who once was acknowledged for scoring a hole-in-one at Castle Hills Golf Club. Additional interests included working crossword puzzles.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Maxine (nee Moura) sons, Richard "Rick" of New York City, and Ronald "Ron" of Glen Rock, New Jersey, daughters Maxine Lucas of Tarzana, California, Madeline Lanciani of New York City, and Marlene Karpinski of Lorain, along with eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Abilio and Amelia (nee Batista) Carvalho, and by one brother in Portugal.
Friends may call Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until he time of funeral mass at 10:30 a.m. in the Catholic Church of St. Peter, 3501 Oberlin Avenue, Lorain. The Reverend Kenneth Wolnowski, pastor of the church, will officiate. Entombment will follow in the Resurrection Mausoleum at Calvary Cemetery, where military honors will be conducted by Louis Paul Proy Chapter #20 of the Disabled American Veterans.
In lieu of flowers, the family strongly urges memorials in Mr. Carvalho's memory to the Saint Peter School Scholarship Fund, 3601 Oberlin Avenue, Lorain, Ohio 44053.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, Lorain.